Tribes win federal funds to boost law enforcement

Topeka  The U.S. Justice Department has awarded two Kansas Indian tribes a total of $1.3 million to improve law enforcement on reservations.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release Wednesday that the Kickapoo Tribe will receive $810,503 and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation will receive $557,117.

The federal government on Wednesday announced it was awarding $118.4 million in grants to nearly 150 American Indian and Alaska native nations.

The effort to improve law enforcement on the reservations will focus on eight areas — public safety, methamphetamine, alcohol and substance abuse, corrections, violence against women, elder abuse, juvenile justice, and tribal youth programs.

Better yet, begin denying federal grant moneys (read tax revenues) to First Nations people who have successful business ventures. Let them use casino revenues, greens fees, lumber profits, and other sources of money they generate if you want to see sovereignty become the norm. And from experience, it won't.